The officer detained Kirk and quickly extinguished part of the fire to prevent it from spreading to a tree line next to the 101 Freeway. Ventura City firefighters finished the job.
Firefighters say, at the time of the fire, the Santa Ana winds were increasing and the humidity was dropping. They say, despite the recent rains, many parts of the city are still dry and that concern over the fire danger remains high.
Kirk was booked into the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of arson.
